'Breaking Bad' parodies flood the Internet

AMC's deadly serious drama gives fans fodder for mash-ups and spoofs.

'The Colbert Report' blended 'Breaking Bad' and 'Dowton Abbey' in a skit where Lord Grantham solves his financial problems with the manufacture and sale of "blue chamomile crank." (And apparently, he also learned that hydrofluoric acid and plastic barrels are the best way to dispose of bodies.)(Photo: Comedy Central)

Story Highlights

It may be one of the most respected and lauded series on television, but Breaking Bad still gives fans plenty of reasons to laugh (Walt Jr.'s fondness for breakfast; Jesse's penchant for Gatorade, magnets and science). With only six more episodes (after Sunday night's second one) to go as it steamrolls toward what's sure to be a gut-wrenching finale, let's reflect on some of the best Breaking Bad parodies, whether YouTube sensations or late-night TV spoofs.

The turbulent relationship between Walt and Jesse (Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul) is parodied in this hilarious spin on Taylor Swift's We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. Created by Teddie Films (the same group behind the Gotye parody, The Star Wars That I Used to Know), the music video has received tweeted support from Paul. A bonus? A manic Walt takes on Swift's I Knew You Were Trouble. (youtube.com/teddiefilms)

Scored by The Cinematic Orchestra's weepy That Home, Breaking Bad is re-imagined as a pained romance between Walt and Jesse, a play on the gay cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain. It uses clips from the series but cleverly edits them, making lines such as "If it feels right, it feels right" much more sexually charged than originally intended. One thing's for sure: This parody brings a whole new meaning of bromance to our favorite meth-cooking duo. (Warning: Some profanity) (youtube.com/goeric)

Blue cupcakes are the game here, as The Simpsons spoof our merry band of drug peddlers in a new couch opening sequence, which aired on the April 14 episode "What Animated Women Want." It even uses the '60s song Crystal Blue Persuasion, famously used during a montage in Breaking Bad's Season 5 episode "Gliding Over All." Not to mention, Cranston and Paul pop in for a cameo at the end as they purportedly watch the animated sitcom. (youtube.com/AnimationonFox)

This short parody taken from Jimmy Kimmel's hosting gig at last year's Emmy Awards asks how Breaking Bad might have fared as a '60s sitcom. Good-naturedly poking fun at The Andy Griffith Show, Cranston and Paul take a stroll by the river with fishing poles in full meth-cooking gear, only to shoot Don Knotts' goofy deputy sheriff upon sighting him. "Brought to you by meth," a voiceover proclaims. It's amusing to imagine how the dark drama could have been different during a "simpler time." (youtube.com/associatedpress)

The gentlemen of Downton Abbey assist Stephen Colbert in this amusing take on Breaking Bad, bringing British sensibilities to the deserts of New Mexico. Dubbed Breaking Abbey, the mannered men discuss how local "tea-tweakers" can't get enough of his lordship's Earl blue tea, before engaging in a standoff with drug lords as they sell bags of said brew. It's a treat for Downton fans, but also opens up the possibility for crossovers with Heisenberg (Walter's drug kingpin alter ego) that we'd love to see Game of Thrones? Parks and Recreation? The list goes on. (Warning: Some profanity) (colbertnation.com)

Heisenberg and the gang receive prepubescent counterparts in this inventive take on the series, which features fitting tunes such as I Am the One Who Knocks and title song Breaking Bad. Meth is replaced with blue rock candy and Jesse's signature catchphrase becomes a mere "Yeah! Science!," yet this darkly comic production addresses some of the show's most memorable elements (Skyler's constant nagging! Gus Fring's face!) with an innocent, musical twist. (youtube.com/rhettandlink)

YouTube channel Screen Junkies has released some hilarious takes on everything from The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers and The Hunger Games, and their foray into TV with Breaking Bad is a welcome addition. Neatly summarizing almost everything that's happened in the series in less than five minutes, this send-up also takes witty jabs at some of the show's numerous implausibilities (But really, Hank. It took you that long to catch on to your brother-in-law's meth empire? How about you go fetch Walt some coffee?). (Warning: Some profanity) (youtube.com/screenjunkies)

Oh, the world of difference a mere laugh track can make. By way of Funny or Die, Breaking Bad becomes a generic ABC sitcom from the '90s, complete with cheesy intro music and an opening montage of characters at their most endearing (Seriously, just watch Jesse dance). And it doesn't end there: The comedy website produced eight installments of these entertaining spoofs, although the first is arguably the funniest. (youtube.com/kwalitykontrol)